The photovoltaics tag has no wiki summary.
7
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2answers
859 views
Where does the electricity, generated by a solar panel, go if you don't use the electricity?
I'm sorry if this question is too trivial for this Q&A forum. I am a layman when it comes to physics (though I did cover the high-school physics courses).
I was wondering what happens to the ...
5
votes
2answers
458 views
What is the most efficient Organic Photovoltaic solar cell?
Preferably one that is researched in a paper, not necessarily in production.
I have found various claims of OPVs with an efficiency of 10%, 8% and 7.3%, the only one I can substantiate is referenced ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
How much solar energy hits a rooftop in Israel?
I was asked to today about the available plans (in Israel) to install photo-voltaic receptors on the roof and sell the energy. This is a legitimate plan and there are several companies that do this. ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
What is injection level (semiconductor physics)?
I am currently reading journal articles about semiconductor physics in solar cells. What is injection level?
I'll try to start off with what I understand. Photons hitting the silicon cause its ...
3
votes
3answers
152 views
How far from the Sun is a photovoltaic effective?
Just what the title states.
Photovoltaic cells convert incident light to electricity; this probably means they create less electricity when it is dark - as in deep space.
How far can a solar cell ...
3
votes
1answer
42 views
Given mean insolation, can one place an upper bound on the daily peak insolation?
Photovoltaic panels are rated under standard conditions: eg a $100\mathrm{W}$ panel if irradiated with $1000\mathrm{W}/\mathrm{m}^2$ at $25^\circ\mathrm{C}$.
When the cost effectiveness of ...
3
votes
1answer
139 views
Confused about charge seperation in solar cells
I'm a bit confused about how solar cells work.
My understanding is that there is a p-n junction. A photon is absorbed which creates an electron-hole pair, and the idea is to separate the electron ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
In solar cells, do photons break apart electron-hole pairs, or create them?
Some sources say that when a photon hits the PV cell, it breaks apart electron-hole pairs. Other sources say that photons create electron-hole pairs. Can anyone explain which one is right? I've read ...
1
vote
1answer
451 views
Why is honeycomb lattice the ideal shape for solar cells?
Quoting this web site (which I haven't thoroughly verified for credibility yet):
The material is graphene, also known
as graphite, a naturally-occurring
mineral that forms a one-atom-thick
...
1
vote
3answers
255 views
Easy to understand equivalents for energy (kilowatt-hour)
Is there a database/webpage/other source for obtaining simple, easy to understand and meaningful equivalents for converted energy by a photovoltaic-site (Wh/kWh/MWh/GWh)? Something like "xxxkWh equals ...
1
vote
2answers
158 views
PV cell for invisible spectrum only
Is it possible to make a photovoltaic cell that would only absorb the invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, while letting visible light pass through or bounce off its surface?
I guess that ...
1
vote
2answers
221 views
In the diode equation, why the exponential $\exp$ and the ideality factor $n$ are there? What do they represent & what is their significance?
In the Shockley diode equation, why the exponential $\exp$ and the ideality factor $n$ are there? What do they represent & what is their significance?
I have to work on Solar Photovoltaics, and ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
Contact electricity and photoelectric effect
Most universities provide an experiment about the photoelectric effect to determine $h$ by measuring the stop voltage against the light frequency and calculating the slope $h/e$.
But mostly they also ...
0
votes
2answers
94 views
Is a photovoltaic cell on an artificial satellite the same construction as one used on Earth's surface?
Just what the title states.
Are photovoltaic cell arrays on a satellite the same that are used within Earth, or is there some difference in their construction given the differing environment in which ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Is it feasible to convert the energy of gamma-photons from gamma-emitting nuclear isomers into electrical power?
It is known that gamma rays emitted by nuclear isomers, naturally occurring or manufactured, carry huge amounts of energy. Co-60 for example decays into the isomeric state of Ni-60 by $\beta ^-$ ...
